Arko III

Arko III's career joined major sporting success to one of British show jumping's defining comeback stories. Bred in Germany from Argentinus and the Beach Boy mare Unika, he arrived in Britain as a six-year-old and first appeared at Foxhunter level. Andrew Saywell and Robert Whitaker contributed to his early education before Nick Skelton resumed the ride and took him onto the international circuit. The timing mattered: Skelton was rebuilding after the neck injury that had forced his first retirement, and Arko became the horse on which he re-established himself at championship level.

The pair finished tenth individually at the 2004 Athens Olympics and represented Britain at the 2005 European Championships. Their Grand Prix record ranged across Europe and North America, including victories in Leipzig, Rome, Lucerne, and the 2008 CN Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows. British Showjumping records that Arko was Europe's number-one horse for three consecutive years and British Equestrian Showjumper of the Year five times. After retiring from competition, he continued at stud, with international offspring including Argento and SFS Aristio.